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Pesto Chicken Pasta Salad Bowl

25-Minute Pesto Chicken Pasta Salad Bowl That Steals Hearts

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A refreshing and flavorful pesto chicken pasta salad bowl perfect for lunch or dinner.

  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 ounces rotini pasta
  • 1 (6-ounce) jar purchased basil pesto
  • 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 3 cups chopped cooked chicken
  • 3 cups baby arugula or coarsely chopped baby spinach
  • 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 2 ounces Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, shaved, divided
  • 1/4 cup pine nuts, toasted, divided

Instructions

  1. Gather all ingredients.
  2. Cook rotini according to package directions. Drain and rinse well under cold water; set aside.
  3. Stir together pesto, vinegar, garlic, and salt in a large bowl.
  4. Add chicken, cooked rotini, arugula, tomatoes, half of the cheese, and half of the pine nuts. Toss well.
  5. Serve at once or cover and chill up to 6 hours.
  6. Top with remaining cheese and pine nuts before serving.

Notes

  • Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
  • Toss with a little extra pesto or olive oil if the salad dries out.
  • Use store-bought pesto for convenience or homemade for extra flavor.
  • You can prepare this salad ahead of time and refrigerate before serving.
  • Author: Livia Reed
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Category: Salad
  • Method: Tossed
  • Cuisine: Italian
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 bowl
  • Calories: 450
  • Sugar: 4g
  • Sodium: 600mg
  • Fat: 22g
  • Saturated Fat: 5g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 12g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 35g
  • Fiber: 3g
  • Protein: 28g
  • Cholesterol: 60mg